MEPs Urge Action to Block Russia's Return to International Ice Hockey
21 members of the European Parliament from six groups, including seven from Latvia, have called on EU bodies and the international hockey federation to use legal tools against Russia's return to tournaments. The letter responds to a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling favouring Russia.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from six political groups sent a joint letter on Friday to European Union institutions, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and host countries of competitions. They call for all available legal options to be used to prevent Russia's return to international ice hockey. The letter was signed by 21 MEPs, including seven from Latvia.
What prompted the letter
The letter responds to a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordering the IIHF to immediately reinstate Russia's national hockey teams in international tournaments. The ruling covers next year's world championships for senior men, U-20 and U-18 teams, as well as the women's world championships. Latvia's national team also plays in the men's top division.
The authors consider the ruling mistaken. In their view, it opens the way to Russia's international rehabilitation while the country continues its war of aggression against Ukraine.
What the MEPs demand
MEP Rihards Kols, on whose initiative the letter was written, stressed that Russia has obtained a favourable verdict and that the Kremlin will use every regained privilege as proof that the West is coming to terms with the war. According to him, the EU has legal and political instruments to prevent the teams' return, and using them is a matter of political will; where tools are lacking, they must be created.
The letter asks the European Commission and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, to advance proposals for targeted sanctions against Russian sports officials and organisations that support the aggression or its propaganda apparatus and meet the sanctions criteria.
The MEPs also urge a review of EU funding and institutional support for sports organisations that promote Russia's return to international sport. Host countries are asked to use legal options on visa issuance and entry restrictions. The letter reminds that the right to take part in competitions does not by itself grant the right to enter a country.
